Police officer gunned down while patrolling Pretoria roads

A police officer was gunned down while patrolling Solomon Mahlangu and Old Bronkhorstspruit Road, Pretoria in the early hours of Monday.

Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Isaac Mculu said: “At approximately 01:00 this morning, two constables from Boschkop police station were on patrol when they spotted a white VW Polo without registration plates travelling in the vicinity of the N4 highway near the Solomon Mahlangu on-ramp.”

Mculu said the members ordered the driver of the VW Polo to stop and thereafter, approached the vehicle on foot. Two male suspects emerged from VW Polo and a scuffle ensued between the suspects and the two constables.

“The officers stopped the vehicle and upon stopping, two suspects came out from the vehicle while the police were also approaching.

“A fight between the police and the suspects ensued during which a pistol belonging to one of the police officers fell,” Mculu said.

He said the suspects picked it up and shot one officer in the leg.

“The shot officer managed to run away and hid in the nearby bushes while the other one was left with the robbers.

“While hiding in the bushes, the officer heard the suspects shouting ‘kill him’ and shortly after, two shots were fired and the officer was confirmed dead around 01:05.”

The suspects were still on the run.

Both police officers’ firearms were taken.

The provincial commissioner of Gauteng has mobilised the 72-hour activation plan to trace the suspects.

“We are appealing to anyone who may have any information on the whereabouts of these suspects to contact the police,” the provincial office General Khehla John Sitole said.

Information may be communicated via the SAPS Crime Stop number 08600-10111 or via the MySAPSApp.